Read the verse and answer the following questions: (don't forget that Bible, a pen and highlighter!! You may even start with a notebook and have these questions at the front as a reference, then throughout the book, just write your answers!! Just an idea!? :-) )
1. Summarize in a few sentences what the passage is about:
2. Is there an example for me to follow?
3. Is there an error I need to avoid?
4. Is there a command for me to obey?
5. Is there a sin I need to forsake?
6. What application of this passage can I make today?
My answers and opinion:
1. God makes a covenant with Noah to be fruitful and increase in number, all living thing is now food, (not just the green plants, but not meat with lifeblood - I guess not still living!), God says never again will a flood destroy the earth and sets the rainbow as a sign of His promise.
2. To be fruitful?? ;-) I don't think it applies since we have increased quite a bit!!
3. n/a
4. God demands an accounting for the life of his fellow man. So no killing!
5. n/a
6. That even though there may be flooding, there will never again be a big flood!! So no worries when the waters rise.
I've been reading this since you started, but when I can I'll make some comments too. (hopefully without seeming to hijack your blog :-D)
ReplyDelete1. Summarize in a few sentences what the passage is about:
The flood recedes and God sets the course for the world to begin again by instructing Noah, his sons, and their families. He gives them a purpose ("fill the earth"), the power to do it ("into your hand they are delivered"), and a promise ("never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth")
2. Is there an example for me to follow?
When your world falls apart you need to seek God's purpose, power, and promises in order to start over rather than quit.
3. Is there an error I need to avoid?
vs 4 "you shall not eat flesh with it's life, that is, it's blood." While the requirement against shedding the blood of a person is much more serious and obvious, is this command concerning eating still in effect? If not, when did it end and why? If so, what exactly does it mean? Just that you don't eat something while it is still living or the Kosher practices of the Jews. Even the Jews acknowledge that complete removal of blood from animal meat is at time impractical and they allow for some exceptions.
4. Is there a command for me to obey?
"be fruitful and multiply" - specifically for families of Noah and sons, but naturally it is an ongoing requirement for life to exist. Mass disobedience to this command would be catastrophic to the world's existences
"you shall not eat" - not sure of all the implications of this command, but clearly God cares about our diet and has respect for all life, both human and animal. It's interesting to me that though God expands the freedom to eat animals, he doesn't require it or eliminate the original emphasis on eating "green plants" that existed pre-flood.
"I require a reckoning" - not only is the value of human life stated, God indicates that people have some sort of responsibility to seek justice when human blood is spilled, and are given the authority to carry out God's judgment. So according to this capital punishment, and in some cases maybe even war, is not the same as murder.
5. Is there a sin I need to forsake?
Nothing obvious comes to mind, but I'd like to do some more research on the food w/blood issue. I don't think eating meat w/blood is sinful, but if I were to learn more and feel convinced that God still desired this yet ignore it out of personal preference or convenience then that might be a sin to forsake.
6. What application of this passage can I make today?
- Seek God's purpose
- Use God's power
- Trust God's promise
That'll preach. :-)